U.S. patent application number 14/466159 was filed with the patent office on 2016-02-25 for resource capacity management framework.
The applicant listed for this patent is Bank of America Corporation. Invention is credited to Jason Boyd, Taylor L. Dubois.
Application Number | 20160055437 14/466159 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55348595 |
Filed Date | 2016-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160055437 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dubois; Taylor L. ; et
al. |
February 25, 2016 |
RESOURCE CAPACITY MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
Abstract
A computing platform may receive data regarding future
availability of human or financial resources of an organization
from one or more computing devices. The computing platform may
receive data regarding a first project from a user device.
Responsive to receiving the data regarding the first project, the
computing platform may determine, based on the data regarding the
first project and the future availability, an allocation of a
portion of the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization, and a deadline to provide additional
information regarding the first project in order to maintain the
allocation. The computing platform may generate one or more
messages indicating the allocation and the deadline. The computing
platform may communicate the one or more messages indicating the
allocation and the deadline to the user device.
Inventors: |
Dubois; Taylor L.;
(Charlotte, NC) ; Boyd; Jason; (Belmont,
NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bank of America Corporation |
Charlotte |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55348595 |
Appl. No.: |
14/466159 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/7.23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/06313
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/06 20060101
G06Q010/06 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: at a computing platform comprising at
least one processor, a memory, and a communication interface:
receiving, via the communication interface and from one or more
computing devices associated with at least one of human or
financial resources of an organization, data regarding future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization; receiving, via the communication interface and from a
user device associated with a stakeholder in a first project of the
organization, data regarding the first project, the data regarding
the first project indicating a scope of the first project, one or
more projected deadlines of the first project, and one or more
requested resource commitments for the first project; and
responsive to receiving the data regarding the first project:
determining, by the at least one processor and based on the scope
of the first project, the one or more projected deadlines of the
first project, the one or more requested resource commitments for
the first project, and the future availability of the human or
financial resources of the organization, an allocation of a portion
of the future availability of the human or financial resources of
the organization to the first project, and a deadline for the
stakeholder in the first project to provide additional information
regarding the first project in order to maintain the allocation;
generating, by the at least one processor, one or more messages
indicating the allocation of the portion of the future availability
of the human or financial resources of the organization to the
first project, and the deadline for the stakeholder in the first
project to provide the additional information regarding the first
project in order to maintain the allocation; and communicating, via
the communication interface and to the user device associated with
the stakeholder in the first project, the one or more messages
indicating the allocation of the portion of the future availability
of the human or financial resources of the organization to the
first project, and the deadline for the stakeholder in the first
project to provide the additional information regarding the first
project in order to maintain the allocation.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more requested
resource commitments for the first project comprise one or more
unnamed resources, and wherein the additional information regarding
the first project indicates that the stakeholder in the first
project should identify the one or more unnamed resources as named
resources by the deadline.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more unnamed resources
comprise one or more unnamed personnel or employees, and wherein
the additional information regarding the first project indicates
that the stakeholder in the first project should identify the one
or more unnamed personnel or employees as at least one of named
personnel or employees, or open resource requisitions, by the
deadline.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more requested
resource commitments for the first project comprise one or more
open resource requisitions, and wherein the additional information
regarding the first project indicates that the stakeholder in the
first project should populate the one or more open resource
requisitions with named resources by the deadline.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the one or more open resource
requisitions comprise one or more known contracts or one or more
incoming new hires, and wherein the additional information
regarding the first project indicates that the stakeholder in the
first project should identify the one or more known contracts or
the one or more incoming new hires as named personnel or employees
by the deadline.
6. The method of claim 1, comprising receiving, via the
communication interface and from the one or more computing devices
associated with the at least one of the human or financial
resources of the organization, data regarding a change in the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization.
7. The method of claim 6, comprising, responsive to receiving the
data regarding the change in the future availability of the human
or financial resources of the organization: determining, by the at
least one processor and based on the change in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization, an adjustment to the deadline for the stakeholder in
the first project to provide the additional information regarding
the first project in order to maintain the allocation; generating,
by the at least one processor, one or more messages indicating the
adjustment to the deadline for the stakeholder in the first project
to provide the additional information regarding the first project
in order to maintain the allocation; and communicating, via the
communication interface and to the user device associated with the
stakeholder in the first project, the one or more messages
indicating the adjustment to the deadline for the stakeholder in
the first project to provide the additional information regarding
the first project in order to maintain the allocation.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the change in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization indicates an increase in the future availability of
the human or financial resources of the organization, and wherein
determining the adjustment to the deadline for the stakeholder in
the first project to provide the additional information regarding
the first project in order to maintain the allocation comprises
determining a later date for the stakeholder in the first project
to provide the additional information regarding the first project
in order to maintain the allocation.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the change in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization indicates a decrease in the future availability of the
human or financial resources of the organization, and wherein
determining the adjustment to the deadline for the stakeholder in
the first project to provide the additional information regarding
the first project in order to maintain the allocation comprises
determining an earlier date for the stakeholder in the first
project to provide the additional information regarding the first
project in order to maintain the allocation.
10. The method of claim 6, comprising, responsive to receiving the
data regarding the change in the future availability of the human
or financial resources of the organization: determining, by the at
least one processor and based on the change in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization, an adjustment to the allocation of the portion of the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the first project; generating, by the at least one
processor, one or more messages indicating the adjustment to the
allocation of the portion of the future availability of the human
or financial resources of the organization to the first project;
and communicating, via the communication interface and to the user
device associated with the stakeholder in the first project, the
one or more messages indicating the adjustment to the allocation of
the portion of the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization to the first project.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the change in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization indicates an increase in the future availability of
the human or financial resources of the organization, and wherein
determining the adjustment to the allocation of the portion of the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the first project comprises determining an
increased allocation of the portion of the future availability of
the human or financial resources of the organization to the first
project.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the change in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization indicates a decrease in the future availability of the
human or financial resources of the organization, and wherein
determining the adjustment to the allocation of the portion of the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the first project comprises determining a decreased
allocation of the portion of the future availability of the human
or financial resources of the organization to the first
project.
13. The method of claim 6, comprising, responsive to receiving the
data regarding the change in the future availability of the human
or financial resources of the organization: determining, by the at
least one processor and based on the change in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization, different additional information regarding the first
project for the stakeholder in the first project to provide in
order to maintain the allocation; generating, by the at least one
processor, one or more messages indicating the different additional
information regarding the first project for the stakeholder in the
first project to provide in order to maintain the allocation; and
communicating, via the communication interface and to the user
device associated with the stakeholder in the first project, the
one or more messages indicating the different additional
information regarding the first project for the stakeholder in the
first project to provide in order to maintain the allocation.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the change in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization indicates an increase in the future availability of
the human or financial resources of the organization, and wherein
determining the different additional information comprises
determining that the stakeholder in the first project is required
to provide less additional information regarding the first project
in order to maintain the allocation.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the change in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization indicates a decrease in the future availability of the
human or financial resources of the organization, and wherein
determining the different additional information comprises
determining that the stakeholder in the first project is required
to provide more additional information regarding the first project
in order to maintain the allocation.
16. The method of claim 1, comprising: determining, by the at least
one processor and based on a scope of a second project, one or more
projected deadlines of the second project, one or more requested
resource commitments for the second project, and the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization, an allocation of a portion of the future availability
of the human or financial resources of the organization to the
second project, and a deadline for a stakeholder in the second
project to provide additional information regarding the second
project in order to maintain the allocation; generating, by the at
least one processor, one or more messages indicating the allocation
of the portion of the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization to the second project, and the
deadline for the stakeholder in the second project to provide the
additional information regarding the second project in order to
maintain the allocation; and communicating, via the communication
interface and to a user device associated with the stakeholder in
the second project, the one or more messages indicating the
allocation of the portion of the future availability of the human
or financial resources of the organization to the second project,
and the deadline for the stakeholder in the second project to
provide the additional information regarding the second project in
order to maintain the allocation.
17. The method of claim 16, comprising: determining, by the at
least one processor and based on the allocation of the portion of
the future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the first project and the allocation of the portion
of the future availability of the human or financial resources of
the organization to the second project, additional human or
financial resources needed by the organization at a future date for
the first project and the second project.
18. The method of claim 17, comprising, responsive to determining
the additional human or financial resources needed by the
organization at the future date for the first project and the
second project: generating, by the at least one processor, one or
more messages indicating the additional human or financial
resources needed by the organization at the future date for the
first project and the second project; and communicating, via the
communication interface and to the one or more computing devices
associated with the at least one of the human or financial
resources of the organization, the one or more messages indicating
the additional human or financial resources needed by the
organization at the future date for the first project and the
second project.
19. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; a
communication interface; and a memory storing instructions that
when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus to:
receive, via the communication interface and from one or more
computing devices associated with at least one of human or
financial resources of an organization, data regarding future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization; receive, via the communication interface and from one
or more user devices, data regarding a plurality of projects of the
organization, the data regarding the plurality of projects of the
organization indicating a scope of a first project of the plurality
of projects of the organization, one or more projected deadlines of
the first project, one or more requested resource commitments for
the first project, a scope of a second project of the plurality of
projects of the organization, one or more projected deadlines of
the second project, and one or more requested resource commitments
for the second project; and responsive to receiving the data
regarding the plurality of projects of the organization: determine,
based on the data regarding the plurality of projects of the
organization and the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization, an allocation of a portion of the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the first project, an allocation of a portion of
the future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the second project, a deadline for a stakeholder in
the first project to provide additional information regarding the
first project in order to maintain the allocation of the portion of
the future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the first project, and a deadline for a stakeholder
in the second project to provide additional information regarding
the second project in order to maintain the allocation of the
portion of the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization to the second project; generate one
or more messages indicating the allocation of the portion of the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the first project, the allocation of the portion of
the future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the second project, the deadline for the
stakeholder in the first project to provide the additional
information regarding the first project in order to maintain the
allocation of the portion of the future availability of the human
or financial resources of the organization to the first project,
and the deadline for the stakeholder in the second project to
provide the additional information regarding the second project in
order to maintain the allocation of the portion of the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the second project; and communicate, via the
communication interface and to the one or more user devices, the
one or more messages indicating the allocation of the portion of
the future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the first project, the allocation of the portion of
the future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the second project, the deadline for the
stakeholder in the first project to provide the additional
information regarding the first project in order to maintain the
allocation of the portion of the future availability of the human
or financial resources of the organization to the first project,
and the deadline for the stakeholder in the second project to
provide the additional information regarding the second project in
order to maintain the allocation of the portion of the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the second project.
20. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media having
instructions stored thereon that when executed by one or more
computers cause the one or more computers to: determine, based on a
scope of a project of an organization, one or more projected
deadlines of the project, one or more requested resource
commitments for the project, and future availability of human or
financial resources of the organization, an allocation of a portion
of the future availability of human or financial resources of the
organization to the project; and determine, based on the scope of
the project, the one or more projected deadlines of the project,
the one or more requested resource commitments for the project, and
the future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization, a deadline for a stakeholder in the project to
provide additional information regarding the project in order to
maintain the allocation.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] For most organizations, managing and balancing resources
according to needs and financial demands is of paramount
importance. For example, there may be a large number of projects in
an organization which necessitate various resources. Resources may
comprise individual people, such as part-time and full-time
employees, as well as financial resources comprising budgets. For
organizations with hundreds of people and many projects occurring
over different time periods, it may be difficult to balance
resource demands across the projects. Organizations may wish to
balance resource capacity with demands in order to utilize all
available resources efficiently and improve workflow. Accordingly,
a need exists for a resource capacity management framework.
SUMMARY
[0002] The following presents a simplified summary in order to
provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosure.
This summary is not an extensive overview of the disclosure. It is
intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the
disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure. The
following summary merely presents some concepts of the disclosure
in a simplified form as a prelude to the description below.
[0003] In accordance with one or more embodiments, a computing
platform may receive data regarding future availability of human or
financial resources of an organization from one or more computing
devices associated with at least one of human or financial
resources of the organization. The computing platform may receive
data regarding a first project of the organization from a
stakeholder in the first project of the organization. The data
regarding the first project may indicate a scope of the first
project, one or more projected deadlines of the first project,
and/or one or more requested resource commitments for the first
project. Responsive to receiving the data regarding the first
project, the computing platform may determine an allocation of a
portion of the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization to the first project, and a deadline
for the stakeholder in the first project to provide additional
information regarding the first project in order to maintain the
allocation based on the scope of the first project, the one or more
projected deadlines of the first project, the one or more requested
resource commitments for the first project, and/or the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization. The computing platform may generate one or more
messages indicating the allocation of the portion of the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the first project, and the deadline for the
stakeholder in the first project to provide the additional
information regarding the first project in order to maintain the
allocation, and may communicate the one or more messages to the
user device associated with the stakeholder in the first
project.
[0004] In some embodiments, the one or more requested resource
commitments for the first project may include one or more unnamed
resources. In such embodiments, the additional information
regarding the first project may indicate that the stakeholder in
the first project should identify the one or more unnamed resources
as named resources by the deadline. In some embodiments, the one or
more unnamed resources may include one or more unnamed personnel or
employees. In such embodiments, the additional information
regarding the first project may indicate that the stakeholder in
the first project should identify the one or more unnamed personnel
or employees as at least one of named personnel or employees, or
open resource requisitions, by the deadline. In some embodiments,
the one or more requested resource commitments for the first
project may include one or more open resource requisitions. In such
embodiments, the additional information regarding the first project
may indicate that the stakeholder in the first project should
populate the one or more open resource requisitions with named
resources by the deadline. In some embodiments, the one or more
open resource requisitions may include one or more known contracts
or one or more incoming new hires. In such embodiments, the
additional information regarding the first project may indicate
that the stakeholder in the first project should identify the one
or more known contracts or the one or more incoming new hires as
named personnel or employees by the deadline.
[0005] In some embodiments, the computing platform may receive data
regarding a change in the future availability of the human or
financial resources of the organization from the one or more
computing devices associated with the at least one of the human or
financial resources of the organization. In some embodiments,
responsive to receiving the data regarding the change in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization, the computing platform may determine, based on the
change in the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization, an adjustment to the deadline for
the stakeholder in the first project to provide the additional
information regarding the first project in order to maintain the
allocation. The computing platform may generate one or more
messages indicating the adjustment to the deadline for the
stakeholder in the first project to provide the additional
information regarding the first project in order to maintain the
allocation, and may communicate the one or more messages indicating
the adjustment to the deadline for the stakeholder in the first
project to provide the additional information regarding the first
project in order to maintain the allocation to the user device
associated with the stakeholder in the first project.
[0006] In some embodiments, the change in the future availability
of the human or financial resources of the organization may
indicate an increase in the future availability of the human or
financial resources of the organization. In such embodiments,
determining the adjustment to the deadline for the stakeholder in
the first project to provide the additional information regarding
the first project in order to maintain the allocation may include
determining a later date for the stakeholder in the first project
to provide the additional information regarding the first project
in order to maintain the allocation. In some embodiments, the
change in the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization may indicate a decrease in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization. In such embodiments, determining the adjustment to
the deadline for the stakeholder in the first project to provide
the additional information regarding the first project in order to
maintain the allocation may include determining an earlier date for
the stakeholder in the first project to provide the additional
information regarding the first project in order to maintain the
allocation.
[0007] In some embodiments, responsive to receiving the data
regarding the change in the future availability of the human or
financial resources of the organization, the computing platform may
determine, based on the change in the future availability of the
human or financial resources of the organization, an adjustment to
the allocation of the portion of the future availability of the
human or financial resources of the organization to the first
project. The computing platform may generate one or more messages
indicating the adjustment to the allocation of the portion of the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the first project, and may communicate the one or
more messages indicating the adjustment to the allocation of the
portion of the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization to the first project to the user
device associated with the stakeholder in the first project.
[0008] In some embodiments, the change in the future availability
of the human or financial resources of the organization may
indicate an increase in the future availability of the human or
financial resources of the organization. In such embodiments,
determining the adjustment to the allocation of the portion of the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the first project may include determining an
increased allocation of the portion of the future availability of
the human or financial resources of the organization to the first
project. In some embodiments, the change in the future availability
of the human or financial resources of the organization may
indicate a decrease in the future availability of the human or
financial resources of the organization. In such embodiments,
determining the adjustment to the allocation of the portion of the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the first project may include determining a
decreased allocation of the portion of the future availability of
the human or financial resources of the organization to the first
project.
[0009] In some embodiments, responsive to receiving the data
regarding the change in the future availability of the human or
financial resources of the organization, the computing platform may
determine, based on the change in the future availability of the
human or financial resources of the organization, different
additional information regarding the first project for the
stakeholder in the first project to provide in order to maintain
the allocation. The computing platform may generate one or more
messages indicating the different additional information regarding
the first project for the stakeholder in the first project to
provide in order to maintain the allocation, and may communicate
the one or more messages indicating the different additional
information regarding the first project for the stakeholder in the
first project to provide in order to maintain the allocation to the
user device associated with the stakeholder in the first project.
In some embodiments, the change in the future availability of the
human or financial resources of the organization may indicate an
increase in the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization. In such embodiments, determining the
different additional information may include determining that the
stakeholder in the first project is required to provide less
additional information regarding the first project in order to
maintain the allocation. In some embodiments, the change in the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization may indicate a decrease in the future availability of
the human or financial resources of the organization. In such
embodiments, determining the different additional information may
include determining that the stakeholder in the first project is
required to provide more additional information regarding the first
project in order to maintain the allocation.
[0010] In some embodiments, the computing platform may determine an
allocation of a portion of the future availability of the human or
financial resources of the organization to a second project, and a
deadline for a stakeholder in the second project to provide
additional information regarding the second project in order to
maintain the allocation based on a scope of the second project, one
or more projected deadlines of the second project, one or more
requested resource commitments for the second project, and/or the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization. The computing platform may generate one or more
messages indicating the allocation of the portion of the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the second project, and the deadline for the
stakeholder in the second project to provide the additional
information regarding the second project in order to maintain the
allocation, and may communicate the one or more messages to the
user device associated with the stakeholder in the second
project.
[0011] In some embodiments, the computing platform may determine
additional human or financial resources needed by the organization
at a future date for the first project and/or the second project
based on the allocation of the portion of the future availability
of the human or financial resources of the organization to the
first project and/or the allocation of the portion of the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the second project. In some embodiments, responsive
to determining the additional human or financial resources needed
by the organization at the future date for the first project and/or
the second project, the computing platform may generate one or more
messages indicating the additional human or financial resources
needed by the organization at the future date for the first project
and/or the second project, and may communicate the one or more
messages indicating the additional human or financial resources
needed by the organization at the future date for the first project
and/or the second project to the one or more computing devices
associated with the at least one of the human or financial
resources of the organization.
[0012] Other details and features will be described in the sections
that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The present disclosure is pointed out with particularity in
the appended claims. Features of the disclosure will become more
apparent upon a review of this disclosure in its entirety,
including the drawing figures provided herewith.
[0014] Some features herein are illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements, and wherein:
[0015] FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative operating environment in
which various aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented
in accordance with one or more example embodiments;
[0016] FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative block diagram of workstations
and servers that may be used to implement the processes and
functions of certain aspects of the present disclosure in
accordance with one or more example embodiments;
[0017] FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative computing environment for
resource allocation and management in accordance with one or more
example embodiments;
[0018] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D depict an illustrative event
sequence for resource allocation and management in accordance with
one or more example embodiments;
[0019] FIG. 5 depicts an example resource allocation report in
accordance with one or more example embodiments;
[0020] FIG. 6 depicts an example resource capacity management
message in accordance with one or more example embodiments; and
[0021] FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative method for determining an
allocation of resources in accordance with one or more example
embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] In the following description of various illustrative
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which
form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration,
various embodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be
practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be
utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made,
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0023] It is noted that various connections between elements are
discussed in the following description. It is noted that these
connections are general and, unless specified otherwise, may be
direct or indirect, wired or wireless, and that the specification
is not intended to be limiting in this respect.
[0024] FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative operating environment in
which various aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented
in accordance with one or more example embodiments. Referring to
FIG. 1, computing system environment 100 may be used according to
one or more illustrative embodiments. Computing system environment
100 is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is
not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or
functionality contained in the disclosure. Computing system
environment 100 should not be interpreted as having any dependency
or requirement relating to any one or combination of components
shown in illustrative computing system environment 100.
[0025] Computing system environment 100 may include computing
device 101 having processor 103 for controlling overall operation
of computing device 101 and its associated components, including
random-access memory (RAM) 105, read-only memory (ROM) 107,
communications module 109, and memory 115. Computing device 101 may
include a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable
media may be any available media that may be accessed by computing
device 101, may be non-transitory, and may include volatile and
nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any
method or technology for storage of information such as
computer-readable instructions, object code, data structures,
program modules, or other data. Examples of computer readable media
may include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),
electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM),
flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk read-only
memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical
disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk
storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that
can be used to store the desired information and that can be
accessed by computing device 101.
[0026] Although not required, various aspects described herein may
be embodied as a method, a data processing system, or as a
computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions.
For example, a computer-readable medium storing instructions to
cause a processor to perform steps of a method in accordance with
aspects of the disclosed embodiments is contemplated. For example,
aspects of the method steps disclosed herein may be executed on a
processor on computing device 101. Such a processor may execute
computer-executable instructions stored on a computer-readable
medium.
[0027] Software may be stored within memory 115 and/or storage to
provide instructions to processor 103 for enabling computing device
101 to perform various functions. For example, memory 115 may store
software used by computing device 101, such as operating system
117, application programs 119, and associated database 121. Also,
some or all of the computer executable instructions for computing
device 101 may be embodied in hardware or firmware. Although not
shown, RAM 105 may include one or more applications representing
the application data stored in RAM 105 while computing device 101
is on and corresponding software applications (e.g., software
tasks), are running on computing device 101.
[0028] Communications module 109 may include a microphone, keypad,
touch screen, and/or stylus through which a user of computing
device 101 may provide input, and may also include one or more of a
speaker for providing audio output and a video display device for
providing textual, audiovisual and/or graphical output. Computing
system environment 100 may also include optical scanners (not
shown). Exemplary usages include scanning and converting paper
documents, e.g., correspondence, receipts, and the like, to digital
files.
[0029] Computing device 101 may operate in a networked environment
supporting connections to one or more remote computing devices,
such as computing devices 141, 151, and 161. Computing devices 141,
151, and 161 may be personal computing devices or servers that
include any or all of the elements described above relative to
computing device 101. Computing device 161 may be a mobile device
(e.g., smart phone) communicating over wireless carrier channel
171.
[0030] The network connections depicted in FIG. 1 may include local
area network (LAN) 125 and wide area network (WAN) 129, as well as
other networks. When used in a LAN networking environment,
computing device 101 may be connected to LAN 125 through a network
interface or adapter in communications module 109. When used in a
WAN networking environment, computing device 101 may include a
modem in communications module 109 or other means for establishing
communications over WAN 129, such as Internet 131 or other type of
computer network. The network connections shown are illustrative
and other means of establishing a communications link between the
computing devices may be used. Various well-known protocols such as
transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), Ethernet,
file transfer protocol (FTP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)
and the like may be used, and the system can be operated in a
client-server configuration to permit a user to retrieve web pages
from a web-based server. Any of various conventional web browsers
can be used to display and manipulate data on web pages.
[0031] The disclosure is operational with numerous other general
purpose or special purpose computing system environments or
configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems,
environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use
with the disclosed embodiments include, but are not limited to,
personal computers (PCs), server computers, hand-held or laptop
devices, smart phones, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based
systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network
PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing
environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and
the like.
[0032] FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative block diagram of workstations
and servers that may be used to implement the processes and
functions of certain aspects of the present disclosure in
accordance with one or more example embodiments. Referring to FIG.
2, illustrative system 200 may be used for implementing example
embodiments according to the present disclosure. As illustrated,
system 200 may include one or more workstation computers 201.
Workstation 201 may be, for example, a desktop computer, a
smartphone, a wireless device, a tablet computer, a laptop
computer, and the like. Workstations 201 may be local or remote,
and may be connected by one of communications links 202 to computer
network 203 that is linked via communications link 205 to server
204. In system 200, server 204 may be any suitable server,
processor, computer, or data processing device, or combination of
the same. Server 204 may be used to process the instructions
received from, and the transactions entered into by, one or more
participants.
[0033] Computer network 203 may be any suitable computer network
including the Internet, an intranet, a wide-area network (WAN), a
local-area network (LAN), a wireless network, a digital subscriber
line (DSL) network, a frame relay network, an asynchronous transfer
mode (ATM) network, a virtual private network (VPN), or any
combination of any of the same. Communications links 202 and 205
may be any communications links suitable for communicating between
workstations 201 and server 204, such as network links, dial-up
links, wireless links, hard-wired links, as well as network types
developed in the future, and the like.
[0034] FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative computing environment for
resource capacity management in accordance with one or more example
embodiments. Referring to FIG. 3, computing environment 300 may
include one or more computing devices. For example, computing
environment 300 may include resources user device 302, stakeholder
user device 304, and stakeholder user device 306. Resources user
device 302, stakeholder user device 304, and/or stakeholder user
device 306 may be any type of computing device capable of receiving
a user interface, receiving input via the user interface, and
communicating the received input to one or more other computing
devices. For example, resources user device 302, stakeholder user
device 304, and/or stakeholder user device 306 may be a desktop
computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, smart phone, or the
like. Resources user device 302 may be a computing device
associated with at least one of human or financial resources of an
organization. For example, resources user device 302 may be
associated with a user in a human resources or finance department
of an organization. Stakeholder user devices 304 and 306 may be
computing devices associated with different stakeholders in an
organization. For example, stakeholder user devices 304 and 306 may
be associated with resource managers or project managers in an
organization. Computing environment 300 may also include one or
more computing platforms. For example, computing environment 300
may include computing platform 308. Computing platform 308 may
include one or more computing devices configured to perform one or
more of the functions described herein. For example, computing
platform 308 may include one or more computers (e.g., laptop
computers, desktop computers, servers, server blades, or the like).
Computing environment 300 may also include one or more networks,
which may interconnect one or more of resources user device 302,
stakeholder user device 304, stakeholder user device 306, and/or
computing platform 308. For example, computing environment 300 may
include network 310. Network 310 may include one or more
sub-networks (e.g., LANs, WANs, or the like).
[0035] Computing platform 308 may include one or more processor(s)
312, memory 314, communication interface 316, and data bus 318.
Data bus 318 may interconnect processor(s) 312, memory 314, and/or
communication interface 316. Communication interface 316 may be a
network interface configured to support communication between
computing platform 308 and network 310, or one or more sub-networks
thereof. Memory 314 may include one or more program modules
comprising instructions that when executed by processor(s) 312
cause computing platform 308 to perform one or more functions
described herein. For example, memory 314 may include resource
management module 320, which may comprise instructions that when
executed by processor(s) 312 may cause computing platform 308 to
perform one or more functions described herein.
[0036] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D depict an illustrative event
sequence for resource allocation and management in accordance with
one or more example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 4A, at step 1,
computing platform 308 may receive data regarding resources from
resources user device 302. For example, computing platform 308 may
receive data regarding future availability of human or financial
resources of an organization from resources user device 302. Human
or financial resources may comprise full-time or part-time
employees or money available for spending in the organization. At
step 2, computing platform 308 may receive data regarding a project
from stakeholder user device 304 (e.g., project A). For example,
stakeholder user device 304 may be associated with a stakeholder or
project manager for project A. Computing platform 308 may receive
data indicating a scope of the project, one or more projected
deadlines of the project, and/or one or more requested resource
commitments for the project from stakeholder user device 304. The
scope of the project may define work that needs to be accomplished
to deliver a product, service, or result with specified features
and functions. The one or more projected deadlines of the project
may be set or predetermined based on the scope of the project. For
example, the scope and the one or more projected deadlines of the
project may be determined by a stakeholder associated with
stakeholder user device 304 in order to meet management objectives
set by a manager within the organization. In some embodiments, the
one or more requested resource commitments for the project may
comprise one or more unnamed resources, named resources, or open
resource requisitions. Unnamed and named resources may comprise
unnamed and named personnel or employees in an organization,
respectively. Unnamed and named personnel or employees may comprise
full-time and/or part-time employees. Open resource requisitions
may comprise known contracts or incoming new hires in an
organization.
[0037] Responsive to receiving the data regarding the project, at
step 3, computing platform 308 may determine an allocation and a
deadline. For example, based on the scope of the project, the one
or more projected deadlines of the project, the one or more
requested resource commitments for the project, and/or the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization, computing platform 308 may determine an allocation of
a portion of the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization to the project, and a deadline for
providing additional information regarding the project in order to
maintain the allocation. For example, computing platform 308 may
determine a number of available resources that have a particular
skill set desired for project A. For example, there may be five
available software developers in the organization, and computing
platform 308 may need to identify which of the five available
software developers have the particular skill sets desired for
project A by a deadline (e.g., in three months). Accordingly,
computing platform 308 may identify three of the available software
developers as having the desired skill sets and assign the three
software developers to project A within three months. Additionally,
the allocation determined by computing platform 308 may only be
valid for a certain period of time, and in order to keep the
allocation for the project (e.g., beyond the period of time), the
stakeholder associated with stakeholder user device 304 may need to
submit additional information about the project. For example, the
stakeholder may need to provide additional information in order to
keep the three software developers assigned to project A for an
extended period of time past the one or more projected deadlines.
For example, the scope of project A may be increased, and the three
software developers may need to continue working on project A for
another six months to meet project goals. Accordingly, the
stakeholder may need to provide additional information detailing an
increased project scope in order to keep the three software
developers working on project A for the extended period of
time.
[0038] In some embodiments, the one or more requested resource
commitments for the project may include one or more unnamed
resources, and the additional information regarding the project may
indicate that the stakeholder in the project should identify the
one or more unnamed resources as named resources by the deadline.
In some embodiments, the one or more unnamed resources may include
one or more unnamed personnel or employees, and the additional
information regarding the project may indicate that the stakeholder
in the project should identify the one or more unnamed personnel or
employees as at least one of named personnel or employees, or open
resource requisitions, by the deadline. For example, there may be a
number of available software developers in the organization, but
the specific names of software developers may not be assigned to
the project (e.g., project A). Thus, the stakeholder associated
with project A may need to assign specific names of software
developers to project A by a deadline (e.g., within three months)
in order to maintain an allocation of resources. In some
embodiments, the one or more requested resource commitments for the
project may include one or more open resource requisitions, and the
additional information regarding the project may indicate that the
stakeholder in the project should populate the one or more open
resource requisitions with named resources by the deadline. In some
embodiments, the one or more open resource requisitions may include
one or more known contracts or one or more incoming new hires, and
the additional information regarding the project may indicate that
the stakeholder in the project should identify the one or more
known contracts or the one or more incoming new hires as named
personnel or employees by the deadline. For example, the
stakeholder associated with project A may allocate a number of
incoming software developers to project A (e.g., software
developers who have been or who will be recently hired and have not
yet started working in the organization). However, in order to
maintain the allocation, the stakeholder may need to assign
specific names of software developers (who are current employees in
the organization) to project A by the deadline (e.g., within three
months).
[0039] At step 4, computing platform 308 may generate a message
with the allocation and the deadline. For example, computing
platform 308 may generate a message indicating the allocation of
the portion of the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization to the project, and the deadline to
provide the additional information regarding the project in order
to maintain the allocation. For example, the message may inform the
stakeholder associated with project A that they need to provide
additional information by the deadline (e.g., within three months)
in order to keep the three software developers assigned to project
A. At step 5, computing platform 308 may communicate (e.g., via
communication interface 316), to stakeholder user device 304, the
message indicating the allocation of the portion of the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the project, and the deadline to provide additional
information regarding the project in order to maintain the
allocation.
[0040] Referring to FIG. 4B, at step 6, computing platform 308 may
receive data regarding a different project from stakeholder user
device 306. For example, computing platform 308 may receive data
regarding project B from stakeholder user device 306, wherein the
stakeholder user device 306 may be associated with a stakeholder or
project manager for project B. Computing platform 308 may receive
data indicating a scope of the project, one or more projected
deadlines of the project, and/or one or more requested resource
commitments for the project from stakeholder user device 306. The
scope of the project may define work that needs to be accomplished
to deliver a product, service, or result with specified features
and functions. The one or more projected deadlines of the project
may be set or predetermined based on the scope of the project. For
example, the scope and the one or more projected deadlines of the
project B may be determined by a stakeholder associated with
stakeholder user device 306 in order to meet management objectives
set by a manager within the organization. In some embodiments, the
one or more requested resource commitments for the project may
comprise one or more unnamed resources, named resources, or open
resource requisitions. Unnamed and named resources may comprise
unnamed and named personnel or employees in an organization,
respectively. Unnamed and named personnel or employees may comprise
full-time and/or part-time employees. Open resource requisitions
may comprise known contracts or incoming new hires in an
organization.
[0041] Responsive to receiving the data regarding the project, at
step 7, computing platform 308 may determine an allocation and a
deadline. For example, based on the scope of the project, the one
or more projected deadlines of the project, the one or more
requested resource commitments for the project, and the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization, computing platform 308 may determine an allocation of
a portion of the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization to the project, and a deadline for
providing additional information regarding the project in order to
maintain the allocation. For example, computing platform 308 may
determine a number of available resources that have a particular
skill set desired for project B. For example, there may be five
available lead programmers in the organization, and computing
platform 308 may need to identify which of the five available lead
programmers have the particular skill sets desired for project B by
a deadline (e.g., in three months). Accordingly, computing platform
308 may identify three of the available lead programmers as having
the desired skill sets and assign the three lead programmers to
project B within three months. Additionally, the allocation
determined by computing platform 308 may only be valid for a
certain period of time, and in order to keep the allocation for the
project (e.g., beyond the period of time), the stakeholder
associated with stakeholder user device 306 may need to submit
additional information about the project. For example, the
stakeholder may need to provide additional information in order to
keep the three lead programmers assigned to project B for an
extended period of time past the one or more projected deadlines.
For example, the scope of project B may be increased, and the three
lead programmers may need to continue working on project B for
another six months to meet project goals. Accordingly, the
stakeholder may need to provide additional information detailing an
increased project scope in order to keep the three lead programmers
working on project B for the extended period of time. At step 8,
computing platform 308 may generate a message with the allocation
and the deadline. For example, computing platform 308 may generate
a message indicating the allocation of the portion of the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the project, and the deadline to provide the
additional information regarding the project in order to maintain
the allocation. For example, the message may inform the stakeholder
associated with project B that they need to provide additional
information by the deadline (e.g., within three months) in order to
keep the three lead programmers assigned to project B. At step 9,
computing platform 308 may communicate (e.g., via communication
interface 316), to stakeholder user device 306, the message
indicating the allocation of the portion of the future availability
of the human or financial resources of the organization to the
project, and the deadline to provide additional information
regarding the project in order to maintain the allocation.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 4C, at step 10, computing platform 308 may
receive data regarding a change from resources user device 302. For
example, computing platform 308 may receive data regarding a change
in the future availability of the human or financial resources of
the organization from resources user device 302. In some
embodiments, the change in the future availability of the human or
financial resources of the organization may indicate an increase in
the future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization. Additionally or alternatively, the change in the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization may indicate a decrease in the future availability of
the human or financial resources of the organization. Responsive to
receiving the data regarding the change in the future availability
of the human or financial resources of the organization, at step
11, computing platform 308 may determine an update based on the
change in the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization. There may be different updates
determined by computing platform 308 based on what is indicated by
the change in the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization. In some embodiments, responsive to
receiving the data regarding the change in the future availability
of the human or financial resources of the organization, computing
platform 308 may determine an adjustment to the deadline for the
stakeholder in project A or project B to provide the additional
information regarding project A or project B in order to maintain
the allocation. For example, the change in the future availability
of the human or financial resources of the organization may
indicate an increase in the future availability of the human or
financial resources of the organization, and determining the
adjustment to the deadline for the stakeholder in project A or
project B to provide the additional information regarding project A
or project B in order to maintain the allocation may include
determining a later date for the stakeholder in project A or
project B to provide the additional information regarding project A
or project B in order to maintain the allocation. Additionally or
alternatively, the change in the future availability of the human
or financial resources of the organization may indicate a decrease
in the future availability of the human or financial resources of
the organization, and determining the adjustment to the deadline
for the stakeholder in project A or project B to provide the
additional information regarding project A or project B in order to
maintain the allocation may include determining an earlier date for
the stakeholder in project A or project B to provide the additional
information regarding project A or project B in order to maintain
the allocation.
[0043] In some embodiments, responsive to receiving the data
regarding the change in the future availability of the human or
financial resources of the organization, computing platform 308 may
determine an adjustment to the allocation of the portion of the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to project A or project B. For example, the change in
the future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization may indicate an increase in the future availability of
the human or financial resources of the organization, and
determining the adjustment to the allocation of the portion of the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to the project A or project B may include determining
an increased allocation of the portion of the future availability
of the human or financial resources of the organization to project
A or project B. Additionally or alternatively, the change in the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization may indicate an decrease in the future availability of
the human or financial resources of the organization, and
determining the adjustment to the allocation of the portion of the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization to project A or project B may include determining a
decreased allocation of the portion of the future availability of
the human or financial resources of the organization to project A
or project B.
[0044] In some embodiments, responsive to receiving the data
regarding the change in the future availability of the human or
financial resources of the organization, computing platform 308 may
determine different additional information regarding project A or
project B for the stakeholder in project A or project B to provide
in order to maintain the allocation. For example, the change in the
future availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization may indicate an increase in the future availability of
the human or financial resources of the organization, and a
determination may be made that the stakeholder in project A or
project B is required to provide less additional information
regarding project A or project B in order to maintain the
allocation. Additionally or alternatively, the change in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization may indicate a decrease in the future availability of
the human or financial resources of the organization, and a
determination may be made that the stakeholder in project A or
project B is required to provide more additional information
regarding project A or project B in order to maintain the
allocation.
[0045] At step 12, computing platform 308 may generate one or more
messages indicating the update based on the change in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization. At step 13, computing platform 308 may communicate
(e.g., via communication interface 316) the one or more messages
indicating the update based on the change in the future
availability of the human or financial resources of the
organization, to stakeholder user device 304. At step 14, computing
platform 308 may communicate (e.g., via communication interface
316), the one or more messages indicating the update based on the
change in the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization, to stakeholder user device 306.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 4D, at step 15, computing platform 308 may
identify additional human or financial resources that will be
required at a future date. For example, based on the allocation of
the portion of the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization to project A and the allocation of
the portion of the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization to project B, computing platform 308
may determine additional human or financial resources needed by the
organization at a future date for project A and/or project B. For
example, the human or financial resources previously allocated for
project A and project B might not be sufficient to meet project
goals and/or accomplish the work defined by the scope of the
project(s), and computing platform 308 may determine that
additional human or financial resources will be required in the
future to fulfill these needs. Responsive to determining the
additional human or financial resources will be needed by the
organization at the future date for project A and/or project B, at
step 16, computing platform 308 may generate one or more messages
identifying the additional human or financial resources for the
future date. For example, computing platform 308 may generate one
or more messages indicating the additional human or financial
resources needed by the organization at the future date for project
A and/or project B. At step 17, computing platform 308 may
communicate the one or more messages indicating the additional
human or financial resources needed by the organization at the
future date for project A and/or project B to the one or more
computing devices associated with the at least one of the human or
financial resources of the organization. For example, computing
platform 308 may communicate (e.g., via communication interface
316), to resources user device 302, the one or more messages
indicating the additional human or financial resources needed by
the organization at the future date for project A and/or project
B.
[0047] FIG. 5 depicts an example resource capacity management
message in accordance with one or more example embodiments.
Referring to FIG. 5, message 500 illustrates future availability of
human or financial resources of an organization, a plurality of
projects, projected deadlines, allocated resources for each month,
and deadlines for additional information. For example, resources
comprise Named Person 1, Named Person 2, an unnamed resource, and
an open resource requisition, whereas the projects comprise
projects A, B, C, D, E, and F. The allocated resources in message
500 are shown for each month from January through June, in which
January may be the current month. The allocated resources for each
month may be defined in units of full-time equivalent (FTE). FTE
may indicate a workload of an employee. For example, an FTE of 1.0
may indicate that an employee is working full-time, whereas an FTE
of 0.5 may indicate that an employee is only working half-time. In
message 500, different resources (e.g., employees) may be assigned
to various projects which may necessitate different amounts of
resources or workload. For example, Named Person 1 may spend a
quarter of their time (e.g., FTE of 0.25) working on project A,
half of their time (e.g., FTE of 0.50) working on project B, and a
second quarter of their time (e.g., FTE of 0.25) working on project
C. Project A may be allocated a FTE of 0.75 for each month, in
which Named Person 2 spends half of their time (e.g., FTE of 0.50)
working on project A, in addition to Named Person 1's contributions
(e.g., FTE of 0.25).
[0048] The types of allocated resources may also depend on the
projected deadlines of each project. For example. Projects A, B,
and C each have a projected deadline of June and are thus allocated
named resources (e.g., Named Person 1 and Named Person 2) for the
months of January through June. Projects D, E, and F each have a
projected deadline of September and are thus allocated an unnamed
resource and an open resource requisition from May onwards. Each
project may also be given a deadline for a stakeholder in the
project to provide additional information regarding the project in
order to maintain the allocation. For example, the deadline for
additional information may be determined to be three months prior
to the projected deadline of the project. This may result in a
three-month window for stakeholders to provide information
regarding specific projects and requested allocations prior to the
projected deadline of the project. As indicated at the bottom of
message 500, the deadline for additional information for projects
A, B, and C is March, whereas the deadline for additional
information for projects D, E, and F is June.
[0049] In an embodiment, a stakeholder in a project may need to
provide additional information regarding unnamed resources and open
resource requisitions by the deadline for additional information in
order to maintain the allocation. For example, the unnamed resource
for project D may comprise an unnamed personnel member or employee,
whereas the open resource requisition for projects D, E, and F may
comprise a known contract or an incoming new hire in the
organization. The unnamed resource and open resource requisition
may be utilized for forecasting purposes in order to predict and
plan ahead for future projects in the organization. In an
embodiment, the unnamed resource may need to be identified as a
named personnel member or employee by the deadline for additional
information. For example, the unnamed resource in message 500 is
allocated to project D, and the deadline for providing additional
information for maintaining the resource allocation for project D
is June. Thus, the unnamed resource may be updated to a named
resource at any time until June. Similarly, the open resource
requisition may need to be populated with or converted to a named
resource (e.g., a named personnel member or employee) by the
deadline for additional information (e.g., converted by computing
platform 308). For example, the open resource requisition in
message 500 is allocated to projects D, E, and F, and the deadline
for providing additional information for maintaining the resource
allocation for projects D, E, and F is June. Thus, the open
resource requisition may be populated with or converted to a named
resource at any time until June (e.g., converted by computing
platform 308). Failure to identify the unnamed resource or open
resource requisition by the set deadline may result in losing the
allocated resource. This loss may lead to potential project delays,
missed deadlines, as well as financial losses for the organization.
By identifying resources and project needs in a timely manner, all
human or financial resources may be properly allocated in order to
improve workflow and prevent underutilization of resources within
the organization.
[0050] FIG. 6 depicts an example resource capacity management
message in accordance with one or more example embodiments.
Referring to FIG. 6, message 600 depicts project-level resource
allocation by illustrating financial resources, named resources,
unnamed resources, and open resource requisitions for projects A
and B. Message 600 may include a current date (e.g., Jan. 1,
20______) and project due dates (e.g., projected deadlines) for
each project, which may be June and September for projects A and B,
respectively. Message 600 may also include deadlines for additional
information for projects A and B, in which the deadlines may be
March and June for projects A and B, respectively. A stakeholder
associated with each project may be required to provide additional
information regarding the project by the deadline for additional
information in order to maintain allocated resources. Message 600
may inform a stakeholder associated with stakeholder user device
304 or stakeholder user device 306 of the project-level resource
allocation. From this information, the stakeholder may be able to
assess whether or not a project is properly allocated financial
resources, named resources, unnamed resources, and open resource
requisitions. The stakeholder may also be able to use the
information from message 600 to determine whether or not allocated
resources are efficiently balanced with the demands associated with
the project and adjust the allocated resources or project demands
accordingly.
[0051] FIG. 7 depicts an illustrative method for determining an
allocation of resources in accordance with one or more example
embodiments. Referring to FIG. 7, at step 702, data about future
availability of human or financial resources may be received from
one or more computing devices. For example, computing platform 308
may receive, via communications interface 316, data regarding
future availability of human or financial resources of an
organization from one or more computing devices (e.g., resources
user device 302). At step 704, data about a first project may be
received from a user device. For example, computing platform 308
may receive, via communications interface 316, data regarding a
first project in the organization from a user device associated
with a stakeholder in the first project (e.g., stakeholder user
device 304). At step 706, an allocation of a portion of the future
availability of the human or financial resources, and a deadline to
provide additional information may be determined based on the data
about the first project and the future availability. For example,
responsive to receiving the data regarding the first project,
computing platform 308 may determine, based on the data regarding
the first project and the future availability of the human or
financial resources of the organization, an allocation of a portion
of the future availability of the human or financial resources of
the organization to the first project, and a deadline for the
stakeholder in the first project to provide additional information
regarding the first project in order to maintain the allocation. At
step 708, one or more messages indicating the allocation and the
deadline may be generated. For example, computing platform 308 may
generate one or more messages indicating the allocation of the
portion of the future availability of the human or financial
resources of the organization to the first project, and the
deadline for the stakeholder in the first project to provide the
additional information regarding the first project in order to
maintain the allocation. At step 710, the message(s) may be
communicated to the user device. For example, computing platform
308 may communicate, via communications interface 316 and to
stakeholder user device 304, the one or more messages indicating
the allocation of the portion of the future availability of the
human or financial resources of the organization to the first
project, and the deadline for the stakeholder in the first project
to provide the additional information regarding the first project
in order to maintain the allocation.
[0052] One or more aspects of the disclosure may be embodied in
computer-usable data or computer-executable instructions, such as
in one or more program modules, executed by one or more computers
or other devices to perform the operations described herein.
Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects,
components, data structures, and the like that perform particular
tasks or implement particular abstract data types when executed by
one or more processors in a computer or other data processing
device. The computer-executable instructions may be stored on a
computer-readable medium such as a hard disk, optical disk,
removable storage media, solid-state memory, RAM, and the like. The
functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed
as desired in various embodiments. In addition, the functionality
may be embodied in whole or in part in firmware or hardware
equivalents, such as integrated circuits, application-specific
integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA),
and the like. Particular data structures may be used to more
effectively implement one or more aspects of the disclosure, and
such data structures are contemplated to be within the scope of
computer executable instructions and computer-usable data described
herein.
[0053] Various aspects described herein may be embodied as a
method, an apparatus, or as one or more computer-readable media
storing computer-executable instructions. Accordingly, those
aspects may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an
entirely software embodiment, an entirely firmware embodiment, or
an embodiment combining software, hardware, and firmware aspects in
any combination. In addition, various signals representing data or
events as described herein may be transferred between a source and
a destination in the form of light or electromagnetic waves
traveling through signal-conducting media such as metal wires,
optical fibers, or wireless transmission media (e.g., air or
space). In general, the one or more computer-readable media may
comprise one or more non-transitory computer-readable media.
[0054] As described herein, the various methods and acts may be
operative across one or more computing servers and one or more
networks. The functionality may be distributed in any manner, or
may be located in a single computing device (e.g., a server, a
client computer, and the like).
[0055] Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of
illustrative embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments,
modifications, and variations within the scope and spirit of the
appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art
from a review of this disclosure. For example, one or more of the
steps depicted in the illustrative figures may be performed in
other than the recited order, and one or more depicted steps may be
optional in accordance with aspects of the disclosure.
* * * * *